Continuous injection machine



Jan. 4, 1949; 'r. COOKSON CONTINUOUS INJECTION MACHINE e Sheets-Sheet 1Filed 001;. 27, 1945 LEONARD T SW SQN BY TToR NEY Jan. 4, 1949. T.codKsoN 2,457,977

CONTINUOUS INJECTION MACHINE Filed Oct. 27, 1945 s sheet -Sheet :s

' INVENTOR LEQENARD T. COOKSQN -4, I L. 'r. cobKsoN Q 7 CONTINUOUSINJECTION MACHINE Filed Oct. 27, l945 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR LEONARDCOOKSON Jane 4, 1949. 1.. T. cooKsoN 2,457,977

counuuous numcnou momma Filed 'Oct. 27, 5194s l s Sheets-Sheet 5 NVENTORLEONARD T ooKsoIN Jan 4, 1949. L. T. CCCJKSGN 9 4 CONTINUOUS INJECTIONMACHINE F ild Oct. 21,.1945 J 6 Shegts-Shee't e Patented Jan. 4, 1949CONTINUOUS INJECTION MACHINE Leonard T. Cookson, Kalamazoo, Mich,assignor to The Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, Mich., a

corporation of Michigan Application October 2'7, 1945, Serial No.625,058

This invention relates to a continuous injection machine andparticularly to the type thereof which provides a slowly moving andclosely controllable supply of fluid for injection into an animal fortesting purposes.

In the art of investigating the eflects upon an animal, such as a whiterat, of various compositions and in the art of assaying the strength ofa composition by its effect upon an animal, such as a white rat, itfrequently becomes necessary to inject into the animal a liquid materialcomprising or containing the composition in question. This injection isusually carried on at an extremely slow rate of speed, sometimes takingas much as twenty-four hours to inject a few, such as six, cubiccentimeters of a liquid solution. It is necessary, however, that inspite of the slow rate of injection the flow be kept very steady andconstant in order to secure useful results from the test.

These experiments are often carried out with groups of animals so thatit is further desirable for convenience and economy of equipment thatthe injection mechanism be equally usable on one or a plurality ofanimals without requiring adjustment. without measurably changing thespeed at which the fluid will be caused to flow, and assuring equal flowinto each animal.

Accordingly, the principal object of my invention has been to provide adevice for injecting a fluid into an animal at a steady and closelycontrollable rate of flow.

A further object of my invention has been to provide a device forcausing a fluid to flow at an extremely slow rate while maintaining ahigh degree of control over the rate of flow.

A further object of my invention has been to provide a device which willoperate with equal accuracy, and without the necessity of specialadjustment, whether it is operating on one animal or on a plurality ofanimals.

A further object of my invention. has been to provide a device asaforesaid which is relatively simple so that a minimum of adjustment isrequired and that which is essential can be easily effected.

Other objects and purposes of my invention will Figure 1 represents aside' partially broken view" of a machine embodying my invention;

9 Claims. (01.. 128-218) Figure 2 represents a top partly broken view ofa machine embodying my invention.

Figure 3 represents a side partially schematic view of the gearboxshowing the arrangement of the gears therein.

Figure 4 shows an end partially schematic view of the gear box showingthe arrangement of gears therein.

Figure 5 is a section taken on the line V-V of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a top, partially schematic view of the gear box showing thearrangement of gears therein. I

Figure 7 is a section taken on the lineVII-VII of Figure 1-.

Figure 8 is an oblique view of a portion of the syringeholding platformwith the syringe and its holdin blocks removed.

In providing a machine to carry out the purposes above outlined I haveprovided in general a motor driving a worm through a series of speedreduction gears having therein provision for speed adjustment, and theworm through suitable mechanism driving a cross-head which; bearsagainst the plungers of as many syringes as may conveniently be placedagainst it. Because of the great reduction in speed by the said gears,-

only a small fraction of the motors available horse power is utilizedeven for driving the six syringes shown in the drawing. Since thestandard electric motor at no load, or at substantially no load, runsclose to a constant speed, the

syringes will be operated within all measurable limits at the same speedWhether there are one It will also be observed that by the provision ofa larger motor, which.

or six syringes in place.

a worm 3 whose length is at least as great as the strokeof the plungers:in the syringes to be used.

It will be observed" that for reasons apparenthereinafter the worm helixis square out.

At the front of the gear box there is provided the platform 4 upon whichare mounted the.

syringesi. These latter are mounted in anyconvenient manner, as bysupporting base elements- Beach having a pairof hook straps-l heldinplace by suitable knurled nuts 8-. Each syringe: has a plunger 9 and adischarge nipple 10-. -The-plung--- ers of the syringes are driven by across-head II which may be of any length needed to engage the severalplungers which are to be operated by the device. The cross-head issuitably backedby a bracin element I2 which is made integral with, or isconnected to, the guide plate I3. This guide plate extends over the gearbox 2 and is supported by suitable rollers I4 which are arranged asshown in detail in Figure '7. By spring loading, as at I5, the upperroller supporting plate I6, there is secured a constant pressure by theupper rollers onto the guide plate I3 which holds it firmly in position,without, however, materially interfering with the ease with which it isenabled to reciprocate.

The cross-head I I may be returned to its initial position at any timeduring or after the operation of the machine by lifting the pin I! andthereby disengaging it from the worm. Once this has been done, thecross-head can be manually reset in any desired position and the syringepistons restored to the initial setting. Where, however, it is desiredto re-extend only one of the syringe pistons, without moving thecross-head, the platform I3 may be relocated forward and the pistonre-extended the desired amount.

Located in the'backing plate I2 is a pin I1 (Figure 1) by which thecross-head is driven. This pin extends at its lower end I8 between theelements of the worm 3 and it is held in position by the spring I9operating against a collar 20. The pin is, however, vertically slidableso that it can be lifted upwardly by the knurled head ZI and means areprovided for selectively holding it in a raised position, such as across-bar 22 which is turned into a. slot 23 when it is desired to lowerthe pin into position to engage the worm 3. The pin II extends throughand reciprocates in the slot 24 of the platform 4.

While several types of mechanism may be prvided to support the syringemount 6 on the platform 4 in proper relationship with the cross-head II, I have found it convenient to provide a pair of guides I8 and II eachhaving a longitudinal slot I2 and positioned on either side of a movableplatform I3. The syringe mounting block 6 is supported on this movableplatform and is held in place by stud bolts 8!! and 8| extendingthereinto through the openings 82. One end I6 is held by a pair of pinsI4, said pins being received into the slots I2 of the strips I8 and II.The other end of the platform I3 preferably has a turned-down portion 1!to act as a platform supporting foot and receives threadedly therein athumb screw 15. through the slot I8 in the platform 4. The abovedescribed mounting arrangement will suffice to accommodate one syringe.It may be increased in width as desired to support two or more syringes.However. to provide maximum flexibility for the entire device each sucharrangement should mount only one syringe and the arrangement repeatedfor each additional syringe employed.

The purpose of this portion of the construction is to permit anyindividual syringe to be placed in any desired position longitudinallyof its stroke with respect to the crosshead I I and also to permit it tobe tipped upwardly for the purpose of bleeding air out of the syringecylinder at such times as occasions therefor may arise during theoperation of this apparatus and regardless of the position the syringeplunger may then occupy. Merely by loosening the thumb screw -I thesyringe may be adjusted longitudinally of its stroke with respect to thecross-head II into any Said thumb screw extends desired position withinthe physical limits of the apparatus in order that, for e p a fullsyringe may be started when other syringes being operated are partiallydepressed. When it is necessary to bleed air out from the syringecylinder the operator merely loosens the thumb screw I5, and moves theentire syringe holding means forward until the head of the screw I5 isaligned with the enlargement I9 at the end of the slot I8. The dischargeend of the syringe may then be lifted upwardly with the platform I5pivoting on the pins I4 as shown in Figure 8. When the air is properlyreleased, the syringe is then replaced in operating position and usethereof may be commenced with a minimum expenditure of time.

Turning now to the construction of the gear box as shown in Figures 3,4, 5 and 6 there appears first a front frame plate 38 and a rear frameplate 3| which comprise part of the frame of the entire structure andfunction as supporting means for the contents of the gear box. A pair offixed shafts 32 and 33 (Figure 5) extend from the front plate to theback plate and are held in place with respect thereto by any suitablemeans. Freely turning on said shafts are a plurality of gear units whichare selectively meshed by one of the pair of connecting gears 35 and 36(Figure 6) to provide the desired speed. A pair of shafts 3! and 38 areprovided above the shafts 32 and 33 for carrying respectively, the saidconnecting gears 35 and 36. The said gears 35 and 36 are sliolable onthe shafts 3'! and 38 and are caused to move thereon by any suitablemeans such as the yoke 39 operated through the slide and plate assembly40 by a manually operated control rod 4|. The gears 42 and 43 at theback of the gear box (Figure 6) are mounted fixedly on the shafts 37 and38 respectively, for turning therewith and are arranged to mesh witheach other. A drive gear 44 is mounted on the hub 45 for turningtherewith. The pinion 46 and the gear 4! are mounted for turningtogether on the stub shaft 48, which is supported by the front frameplate 30.

The motor is attached at the coupling 49 and drives the worm 5B which inturn drives the gear 41 at a greatly reduced rat-e of speed. The gear 4!operating through the hub upon which it mounted (Figure 5) drives thepinion .45 which in turn drives the gear 44. This gear operating throughthe hub 45 upon which it is mounted drives the pinion 5| which drivesthe large gear 52 and in turn the hub 53. This hub drives the pinion 54and the first take-off drive 55. The pinion 54 drives the large gear 58which, operating through the hub 34, drives the second takeofi gear 57and the pinion 58. It will be noted that the pinion 58 on this hub issomewhat larger than the pinion 54 on the preceding hub 53. The pinion58 drives the gear 59 which in turn the hub Ell and through it thepinion SI. This pinion drives the gear 62, which in turn drives the hub63 and through it the pinion 64. This procedure continues on through therest of the gears as shown in the manner already described. The twotake-off gears 35 and 36 travel side by side as determined by the yoke39 and may be positioned so that one of them may selectively be in meshwith one of the gears 55, 51, 59, '62, 85, 86 and 5?. This will driveone of the shafts 37 or 38. If the shaft 3! is the one driven it willdrive the gear 42 which in turn will drive the gear 43 which will rotatethe coupling 68 of the shaft 38. Since the worm 3 is operatively affixedto the coupling 68 (Figure 2) the rotation of said coupling will" annoy?operate 'oneor a large number of syringes without measurable change inspeed. Accordingly, there is secured a highly flexible device which Willmeet the requirements, objects and purposes above stated.

Other modifications may bemade in this device without departing from thespirit of my invention and such modifications. will be scope of thehereinafter appended claims, excepting as said claims themselves provideotherwise.

I claim: l

1. In a machine for actuating a plurality of syringes, the combinationcomprising: a source of rotary motion; means for selectively reducingthe velocity of said rotary motion and translating it into linealmotion; a cross-head mounted for reciprocating motion; means responsiveto said lineal motion effecting movement of -said cross-head; means forindividually mounting said plurality of syringes for independent anddissimilarly timed cooperation with said cross-head including aplurality of platforms mounted for selective adjustment axially of saidsyringes; means for individually, and releasably locking said platforms.against. such yaxial movement 'and means for mounting a syringe on anddemounting same from each of said platforms, all so arrangedl I andconstructed that. the syringes maybe individually actuated atpredetermined separate periods and may be individually mounted or domounted all without interfering with the movement of said cross-head.

2. In a fluid injection machine mounting a plurality of syringes andincluding a source of power at selectable speeds for actuating saidsyringes through a single cross-head, the improvement in the means formounting said syringes comprising: a plurality of platforms mounted forselective movement axially of said syringes; means for locking theplatforms against such axial movement in a selected position; means formounting and demounting a syringe on each of r said platforms.

3. In a fluid injection machine for actuating a plurality of syringes ata pro-determinable constant velocity, the combination comprising: aprime mover supplying rotary motion at a substantially constantvelocity, a selective speed reduction transmission and a worm driventhereby; means providing positive engagement between said selectivetransmission and said source of motion; a cross-head and meanssupporting and guiding same closely adjacent said worm for reciprocatingmotion parallel to the axis thereof;

a retractable pin carried by said cross-head detachably cooperating withsaid worm for translating said rotary motion into lineal motion wherebysaid cross-head will be moved in one direction of reciprocation, meansholding said syringes in a position fixed axially with respect to saidworm including a plurality of platforms mounted for adjusting movementaxially of said worm; means for individually and releasably locking saidplatforms against such axial movement, and means for mounting anddemounting a syringe on each of said platforms.

4. In a fluid injection machine for actuating a'pIu-ralityofsyringes; ata preedeterminable 0611- stant" velocity, the combination comprisingz aprime moversupplying rotary motion at a substantially constant velocity;a selective, velocity" reducing transmission driving a worm; a meansproviding positive engagement between said selective transmission andsaid source of motion; a cross-head and means supporting and guidingsame for reciprocating motion adjacent to and parallel with said worm; aretractable pin carried by said cross-head detachably engaging said wormfor translating said rotary motion into" lineal motion whereby saidcross-head will bemoved in one direction of reciprocation; means aholding syringes in a position fixed axially with respectto said wormsaid means comprising a plurality of platforms mounted for selectivemovement axially of said worm; a base supporting said platformscontaining elongated open ings of variable width; headed meansfixed to'each platform at one end thereof and each pass-' ing through one of saidopenings and tightenable against said base for individually locking theplatforms against said axial movement; a pair of strips attached to saidbase each including an elongated opening and projections at the otherend of said platforms passing into said openings in the strips, all soarranged and constructed that theplatforms may be individually1ongitudi--' nally adjusted and individually elevated on said one end;means for mounting and demounting a syringe on each of saidplatforms.

5. In a fluid injection machine mounting a plurality of syringes andincluding a source of power for actuating said syringes at selectablespeeds through a single cross-head, the improvement in the means formounting said syringes comprising: aplurality of platforms mounted forselec tive movement parallel to the direction of movement of saidcross-head;'a base supporting said platforms containing elongatedopenings of variable widths; headed means fixed to each platform at oneend of each of said platforms and each passing through one of saidopenings and tightenable against said base for individually locking theplatforms against movement parallel to the direction of movement of saidcross-head; a pair of strips attached to said base each includingelongated openings and projections at the other end of said platformspassing into said openings in the strips, all so arranged andconstructed that the platforms may be individually longitudinallyadjusted and individually elevated on said one end and means formounting and demounting a syringe on each of said platforms.

6. In a fluid injection machine for actuating a plurality of syringes ata predeterminable constant velocity the combination comprising: a sourceof rotary motion operating a worm; a cross-head and means supporting andguiding same closely adjacent said worm for reciprocating motionparallel to the axis thereof; a retractable pin carried by saidcross-head detachably cooperating with said worm for translating saidrotary motion into lineal motion whereby said cross-head will be movedin one direction of reciprocation, means holding said syringes in aposition fixed axially with respect to said worm including a pluralityof platforms mounted for adjusting movement axially of said worm; meansfor individually and releasably locking said platforms against suchaxial movement and means for mounting and demounting a syringe on eachof said platforms.

7. In a fluid injection machine for actuating a plurality of syringes ata predeterminable constant velocity, the combination comprising: asource of rotary motion including a selective transmission; a cross-headmounted for rectilinear reciprocating motion only; a worm positionedbetween the ends of said cross-head and axially parallel to the line ofsaid reciprocating motion; a pin passing through said cross-head andengaging the threads of said worm, said pin being retractable to bedisengaged from said Worm, said cross-head being moved in one directionof reciprocation by motion transmitted thereto through the pin from theworm; means removably holding a plurality of syringes in a fixedposition axially parallel to the movement of said cross-head, and withthe plungers thereof each against said cross-head whereby movement ofsaid cross-head in said one direction will move each of said plungers anequal distance and the cross-head and plungers may be moved manually inthe other direction upon manual retraction of said pin.

8. In a fluid injection machine for actuating a plurality of syringes ata predeterminable constant velocity, the combination comprising: asource of rotary motion and a selective transmission; a cross-headmounted for rectilinear reciprocating motion only; a worm, axiallyparallel with the line of said reciprocating motion and driven by saidtransmission, mounted below and substantially midway between the ends ofsaid cross-head and having a length at least equal to the maximum strokeof said cross-head; a pin passing through said cross-head and engagingthe threads of said worm, said pin being retractable '9. In a fluidinjection a plurality of syringes at a predeterminable constantvelocity, the combination comprising: a

source of rotary motion and a selective transmis-- sion; roller guidesand a cross-head mounted therebetween for rectilinear reciprocatingmotion only; a worm, axially parallel with the line of saidreciprocating motion and driven by said transmission, mounted below andsubstantially midway between the ends of said cross-head and having alength at least equal to the maximum stroke of said cross-head; a pinpassing through said cross-head and engaging the threads of said Worm,said pin being retractable to be disengaged from said worm, saidcross-head being moved in one direction of reciprocation by motiontransmitted thereto through the pin from the worm; resilient meansholding said pin in worm'engaging position; means removably holding aplurality of syringes. in a-fixed position axially parallel to themovement of said cross-head and with the plungers of each thereofagainst said cross-head, whereby movement of said cross-head in said onedirection will move each of said plungers an equal distance and thecross-head and plungers may bemovedmanually in the other direction uponmanual retraction of said pin.

LEONARD T. COOKSON.

REFERENCES CITED.

The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 466,183 France May 16, 1914 machine for actuating-

